title: [Changes and the implications of CD4(+);CD25(+);CD127(low); regulatory T cells in drug addicts during natural drug withdrawal].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the changes of CD4(+);CD25(+);CD127(low); regulatory T cells (Tregs) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in drug addicts during natural drug withdrawal, and explore the effects of addictive drugs on their Tregs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral blood was collected from 40 drug addicts with 6-month natural withdrawal, 40 cases with 18-month natural withdrawal and 30 healthy controls. Then the Tregs were counted by flow cytometry and TGF-β1 mRNA expression in PBMCs was detected by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the controls, Tregs and TGF-β1 mRNA expression in PBMCs increased significantly in the group with one 18-month natural withdrawal, but no significant difference was found in the group with 6-month natural withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addictive drugs have a long-term effect on the Tregs in drug addicts, and the abnormal Tregs may result in the immune dysfunction in drug addicts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical School, Affiliated Hospital, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China.
authors.forename: Wenyang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rongbo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yingru
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Shiwu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiaokang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jifeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Lelin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055030:Drug Users; D006801:Humans; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1